Support for bars undergoing a flame-cutting operation



March 11, 1969 S. N. WOVCHA SUPPORT FOR BARS UNDERGOING A FLAME-CUTTINGOPERATION Filed Dec. 27, 1966 INVENTOR SID/V5) IV. WOVCHA Atlam eyUnited States Patent 3,432,160 SUPPURT FOR BARS UNDERGOING AFLAME-CUTTING QPERATION Sidney N. Wovcha, Virginia, Minn., assignor toUnited States Steel Corporation, a corporation of Delaware Filed Dec.27, 1966, Ser. No. 605,037 US. Cl. 269--287 Int. Cl. B23q 3/00 2 ClaimsABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to an improved supportfor metal bars or the like while they undergo a flame-cutting operation.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved support which notonly positions a bar conveniently for flame-cutting it to specifiedlengths, but also furnishes a hood for handling the fumes, slag andmetal produced in the cutting operation.

A further object is to provide an improved support of the foregoing typewhich is of simple construction readily fabricated mainly of light gagesteel plates welded together In the drawing:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of my improved support from the rearshowing a bar positioned therein for cutting; and

FIGURE 2 is a vertical sectional view of the support.

The support of my invention includes a front plate 10, back plate 12 andtwo side plates 13 and 14, all of trapezoidal outline, and a rectangulartop plate 15. Conveniently these plates are of -gage hot-rolled steel. Iweld the five plates together to form a hood which is shaped as afrustum of a pyramid and has an open bottom. The two side plates 13 and14 have aligned openings 16 and 17 of similar configuration near theirupper edges. I Weld a pair of brackets 18 and 19 at their ends to theinside faces of the top plate and front plate 10 near the upper edge ofthe latter. Conveniently the brackets are of At-inch hot-rolled steelroundsQThe upper edges of the brackets are even with the lower edges ofthe openings. The top plate 15 has a slot 20 located between the twobrackets. I weld an exhaust pipe 21 to the back plate 12 and connect aconventional exhaust fan (not shown) to this pipe.

3,432,160 Patented Mar. 11, 1969 ICC In operation, I insert a bar or thelike W endwise through the openings 16 and 17 and brackets 18 and 19.The openings and brackets are of a configuration to match the crosssection of the bar. I slide the bar lengthwise to a position such thatthe line on which it is to be cut lies directly beneath slot 20. I thencut the bar with a conventional flame torch (not shown), which I applyat the slot. Fumes produced in the cutting operation are drawn into thehood and out the exhaust pipe 21. Slag and metal collect on the floorinside the hood. When I wish to make additional cuts in the same bar, Imerely slide it lengthwise to appropriate positions for such cuts.

From the foregoing description, it is seen that my invention affords asupport of simple construction to position a metal bar or the like forflame-cutting. The support also furnishes a hood for exhausting thefumes and collecting slag and metal. The support is particularly usefulfor cutting manganese steel bars to specified lengths. The openings andbrackets which receive the bar can be made of any shape depending on thecross-sectional configuration of the bars with which the support is tobe used.

While I have shown and described only a single embodiment of myinvention, it is apparent that modifications may arise. Therefore, I donot wish to be limited to the disclosure set forth but only by the scopeof the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A support for a bar undergoing a flame-cutting operation, saidsupport comprising trapezoidal front, back and side plates and arectangular top plate welded together to form a hood shaped as a frustumof a pyramid, said side plates having aligned openings immediatelyadjacent their upper edges through which a bar can be insertedimmediately under said top plate, said top plate having a slot elongatedin a direction parallel with said side plates, the bar being accessiblefor cutting through said slot, a pair of brackets fixed to the inside ofsaid hood on opposite sides of said slot and having upper edges alignedwith the lower edges of said openings to assist in supporting the bar,and an exhaust pipe connected to said back plate for carrying away fumesproduced in the cutting operation.

2. A support as defined in claim 1 in which each bracket is welded atone end to said. top plate and at the other end to said front plate.

LESTER M. SWINGLE, Primary Exttminer. JAMES F. MCKEOWN, AssistantExaminer.

US. Cl. X.R. 269289 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OFCORRECTION Patent No. 3,432 ,160 March 11, 1969 Sidney N. Wovcha It iscertified that error appears in the above identified patent and thatsaid Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

In the heading to the printed specification, lines 4 and 5 cancel"Virginia. Minn. assignor to United States Steel Corporz tion, acorporation of Delaware" and insert 722 Srd Street, South Virginia,Minn. 55792 Signed and sealed this 7th day of April 1970.

(SEAL) Attest:

Edward M. Fletcher, Jr. WILLIAM E. SCHUYLER, JR.

Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents

